Formulations comprising saponins and uses thereof

Abstract

Provided is a formulation including various natural extracts for a variety of human applications.

The invention claimed is: 
     
       1. A composition comprising an anti-bacterially effective amount of a saponin material from at least one plant selected from the group consisting of  Camellia sinensis, Camellia oleifera, Saponaria officinalis , and  Sapindus mukorossi  or a mixture thereof, and an anti-bacterially effective amount of a plant extract from at least one plant selected from the group consisting of  Lonicera, Populus , and  Wasabia  or a mixture thereof,
 wherein the weight ratio between the saponin material and the plant extract is between about 1:100 and about 100:1. 
 
     
     
       2. The composition according to  claim 1 , wherein the saponin material is selected from the group consisting of a saponin-containing extract or a saponin compound obtained from the at least one plant selected from the group consisting of  Camellia sinensis, Camellia  oleifera,  Saponaria officinalis , and  Sapindus mukorossi  or a mixture thereof. 
     
     
       3. The composition according to  claim 2 , wherein the saponin-containing extract is obtained by extraction of said plant with water, alcohol, or a water/alcohol mixture. 
     
     
       4. The composition according to  claim 3 , wherein the water/alcohol mixture has a water:alcohol ratio selected from a ratio of between 80:20 and 20:80, a ratio of between 60:40 and 40:60, a ratio of between 70:30 and 30:70, and a ratio of 50:50, respectively. 
     
     
       5. The composition according to  claim 2 , wherein the saponin-containing extract is extracted from said plant by a method comprising:
 a) extracting the plant in a water:alcohol solution having a water:alcohol ratio of between 40:60 and 60:40 for a suitable period of time; 
 b) optionally, evaporating the extract to a obtain a solid saponin-containing extract; and 
 c) optionally, purifying one or more saponin compounds from said solid saponin-containing extract. 
 
     
     
       6. The composition according to  claim 5 , wherein the water:alcohol ratio is 50:50. 
     
     
       7. The composition according to  claim 6 , wherein the plant is  Camellia oleifera  or  Sapindus mukorossi.    
     
     
       8. The composition according to  claim 1 , wherein the  Lonicera  extract is an extract of  Lonicera japonica.    
     
     
       9. The composition according to  claim 1 , wherein the  Populus  extract is an extract of aspen. 
     
     
       10. The composition according to  claim 9 , wherein the extract is of  Populus tremuloides.    
     
     
       11. The composition according to  claim 1 , wherein the  Wasabia  extract is an extract of  Wasabia japonica.    
     
     
       12. The composition according to  claim 1 , wherein the weight ratio between the saponin material and the plant extract is between about 1:1 and about 10:1, respectively. 
     
     
       13. The composition according to  claim 1 , wherein the plant extract comprises a 1:1:1 ratio of  Wasabia japonica  extract,  Populus tremuloides  extract, and  Lonicera japonica  extract. 
     
     
       14. A product comprising an anti-bacterially effective amount of the composition of  claim 1 , wherein the product is selected from the group consisting of a preservative formulation, an antimicrobial formulation, a pharmaceutical composition, a disinfectant, and a cosmetic product.